Should I try Kendo?

by Emily
(Texas)

I'm a short fourteen year old girl looking for a way to exercise. My mom and my doctor both want me doing some sort of activity, but I find it hard. Running on a treadmill bores me, I don't really enjoy sports like soccer or softball, and my attention is easily lost in things that don't require concentration.

I've been looking around sites for Kendo and I've liked what I've seen so far! It sounds like a lot of work, but that's what will keep me at it. The only problem is, should I? I don't want to make my parents pay too much money for it nor do I want to bother them with needing rides.

Please help me! I want to join Kendo, but I'm a little worried and unsure about it! Let me know the pros and cons of it. :)

Answer: Thank you for your question. One thing that makes me worry is I am not sure if you really want to do kendo or not. Kendo is totally different from soccer and softball. Probably that is why you are curious about kendo.

You should try first. But mind you, it takes time to know what good about kendo. Once you like it, you will be addicted to it. But many people quit before they find the real fun part of kendo.

It took me 2 or 3 years to like kendo. I hated it. I did not go to practice because that was hard. That was when I was 7 and 8. I used to lie to my parents that I had a headache or stomach ache to not to go to practice. But my dad basically dragged me to the dojo. I was not good in shiai either. Just was not fun for me.

Since quitting was not an option, I continued. Then for the first time, I won a tournament in my city. That was when I was 10. I could not even win the first round before that!

So it took me 2 or 3 years to get addicted to kendo. For some, it may be instantaneous and for some, it could be years.

But most important thing is to continue. It is not a mere sport. You can learn a lot form kendo. If you want to try, you should devote yourself for at least 5 years.

It is not something you think you are good at. Kendo is to teach your weaknesses. Then you can work on them. Kendo is to challenge yourself.

I hope you start kendo and sometime in the future, I want to see you and train with you.

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